The Beiruter
Politics
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United States WHO withdrawal - US exits WHO - Trump second term health policy - US public health policy - WHO reform criticismU.S. formally withdraws from the World Health Organization
The United States has formally withdrawn from the World Health Organization, ending its membership, funding, and participation in the global health body after years of criticism over accountability and pandemic response.By The Beiruter -
US–Iran tensions - Donald Trump Iran warning - Middle East military buildup - IRGC response - Israel Iran readinessUS-Iran exchange warnings as confrontation still looms
Rising rhetoric from Washington and Tehran, combined with US military deployments and unresolved nuclear concerns, has pushed US–Iran relations back into a tense standoff with heightened risks of regional escalation.By The Beiruter -
Arctic security - NATO tensions - US Europe relations - Davos WEF - Trump GreenlandDavos defuses US-EU tariff showdown
Trump’s Davos remarks on Greenland briefly rattled Europe, but a pause on tariffs and a clear rejection of military force helped defuse a potential trade and security crisis.
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Israel Lebanon ceasefire - South Lebanon airstrikes - Litani River - Civilian displacement - Middle East securityIsrael escalates, ceasefire undermined
As Israeli strikes expand north of the Litani River, Lebanon’s fragile ceasefire faces mounting strain, with civilians caught between military escalation, delayed diplomacy, and unresolved disarmament disputes.By The Beiruter -
Gaza reconstruction - Palestinian factions - US peace plan - Middle East diplomacy - Hamas weapons - Gaza disarmamentGaza’s “Board of Peace” sets deadline for Hamas disarmament
An international “Board of Peace,” reportedly led by Donald Trump, is preparing an ultimatum that would require Hamas to fully disarm or face the prospect of enforced military action in Gaza.
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MTC4L - Lebanon ceasefire - Mechanism Committee - Israel Hezbollah ceasefire - Regional diplomacyUncertainty as “Mechanism” talks postponed
Structural flaws and stalled diplomacy have pushed Lebanon’s ceasefire “Mechanism” Committee into crisis, raising fears in Beirut that its collapse could create a dangerous vacuum in managing Israel–Hezbollah tensions.By The Beiruter -
Public education reform - LU students - Student elections - Lebanese University - Campus democracyAfter 18 years, student elections return to the Lebanese University
The planned return of student elections to the Lebanese University after 18 years marks a rare reopening of democratic life on campus, raising questions about political influence, youth representation, and whether long-promised education reforms can finally move from rhetoric to reality.
By The Beiruter -
UK Germany nuclear warning - NATO tensions - Nuclear escalation Europe - Putin ally - Russia nuclear threat - Sergey KaraganovPutin ally issues nuclear warning to UK and Germany
A senior Russian strategist has issued an explicit nuclear warning against the UK and Germany, underscoring how nuclear escalation is increasingly discussed within Moscow’s elite as the war in Ukraine intensifies.By The Beiruter -
Lebanon national service - Mandatory conscription Lebanon - Lebanese Armed Forces - Social cohesion Lebanon - Youth unemployment LebanonWill conscription return in Lebanon?
The revival of national service is gaining attention in Lebanon, with supporters seeing it as a tool for unity and security, and critics warning it could deepen existing crises if mismanaged or politicized.By The Beiruter -
human rights Iran - Iran regime change - Iranian uprising - Iran protests - Islamic Republic crisisExclusive to The Beiruter, Iranian activist Lily Moo: This is the end!
As Iran faces its largest protests since 1979, activists argue the uprising marks an irreversible break with the Islamic Republic, driven by economic collapse, repression, and public exhaustion with clerical rule.By Tony McMahon -
Gaza governance - NCAG Gaza - Hamas administration Gaza - Palestinian Authority Gaza - Gaza reconstructionHamas official to The Beiruter: We welcome NCAG and call for pressure on Israel
The Beiruter reached out to Walid al-Kilani, Hamas Media Official in Lebanon, to better understand the recent dynamic in the Strip.By The Beiruter -
Syrian government control - Damascus Kurdish deal - SDF integration Syria - Syria ceasefire agreement - Syrian reunificationSDF’s presence declines following ceasefire agreement
A fragile ceasefire between Damascus and the SDF reshapes Syria’s northeast, as Kurdish leaders warn of weak guarantees, ongoing violations, and the need for international oversight to prevent renewed conflict.By The Beiruter
